At a glance
I have used all five of the chainsaws in this roundup over the past couple of years, some more than others, and putting together a ranked list of them turned out to be harder than I expected. Not because they are similar, they are not, but because the right answer depends so heavily on what you already own. If you have a drawer full of Ryobi batteries from the hedge trimmer and the drill, the right saw is not necessarily the highest-scoring saw in a head-to-head cut test. These are battery tools first and chainsaws second, and the platform argument is often stronger than any single performance metric.
What I can tell you is that all five of these saws are capable, all five have earned their position on the list by being tested on actual wood rather than assessed on a spec sheet, and the differences between them are real and worth understanding before you part with the money.
How we assessed these saws. Each saw was used on real jobs over multiple sessions: firewood processing, clearing storm damage, felling small trees and sectioning branches. Scores cover cutting performance, battery life, build quality, ease of use, value for money, and UK suitability including availability and warranty terms.
Quick verdict summary
All 5 battery chainsaws ranked
The DUC353Z takes the top spot because it combines genuine cutting capability with the broadest platform story in the group. Two 18V LXT batteries run in series for 36V and 1,100W from a brushless motor, running the chain at 20 metres per second. The bar is 35cm, the bare tool weighs 3.3 kg, and with two BL1850B batteries the whole thing comes in at around 5 kg, which is noticeable but not punishing. In use, the motor delivers its output consistently without trailing off as the battery drops, and a tree surgeon I know who tested it alongside his own professional kit chose it for the branch pruning work.
The LXT platform runs to over 200 tools, which means if you already own Makita drills, hedge trimmers, or grinders, those batteries go straight in. Tool-free tensioning, an adjustable oil pump, a translucent oil window, and 3-year warranty with registration round out a saw that earns the top ranking. Available body-only and in kit versions on Amazon UK. The limitation: if you pair batteries of different capacities, the saw stops when the lower one is empty. Use matched pairs.
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If you are building or extending a professional cordless setup and you want the saw built to chainsaw manufacturer standards rather than power tool manufacturer standards, the Stihl is the honest recommendation. The AP professional battery platform runs to the full range of Stihl outdoor power equipment, and the AP500S cells use laminated technology rated for 2,400 charging cycles, roughly ten years of daily professional use. The 35cm bar, the dealer network for servicing, and the 3-year tool / 2-year battery warranty are all arguments for the premium price.
The limitation is clear and worth stating plainly: the AP battery system is Stihl-only, this saw is not available on Amazon UK, and you will need to find and visit a Stihl dealer to buy it and to service it. That is not a dealbreaker for someone already in that world. It is a significant inconvenience for anyone who isn’t.
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The Ryobi is the choice for existing ONE+ users and the choice if you want the lightest, most manoeuvrable saw in the group regardless of platform. At 3.2 kg bare it is the lightest here, and the single ONE+ battery keeps the weight reasonable even with a larger pack fitted. The chain speed of 10 metres per second is the fastest in the group. The dual chain brake, mechanical from the front guard and electrical from the motor stopping in under 0.12 seconds, is one of the better safety setups in this class. The 3-year warranty requires registration within 30 days of purchase. CS39 chainsaw certificate is not required for domestic buyers. Ryobi quote 40 cuts of 15cm diameter firewood logs per 5Ah charge; in practice that translates to around 20 to 30 minutes of session time depending on what you are cutting.
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The DCM565N ranks fourth overall but first for anyone on the DeWalt XR platform, and the XR ecosystem is the largest in this group at over 250 compatible tools. Single 18V battery, 30cm Oregon TRI-LINK bar, 7.68 m/s chain speed, 3.5 kg bare. The stock chain is semi-chisel with anti-kickback bumpers; an aftermarket full-chisel replacement makes a clear difference on hardwood for very little money. The oil tank seeps if the saw is stored upright with oil in it: empty the tank and store it flat on the bar after each session and it stops. The 3-year warranty requires MyDeWalt registration within four weeks of purchase.
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The Husqvarna ranks fifth for one simple reason: it is no longer in production for the UK market. Remaining dealer stock exists, but you cannot be certain of finding one, the supply will only get thinner, and parts and service depend on Husqvarna dealers being set up for it. If availability were not the issue, this would rank higher. The horizontal battery port is the cleverest design in the group, keeping the battery flat along the body rather than hanging down from the handle, which improves balance and keeps sawdust out of the port. The 1.8 kW brushless motor is genuinely strong. The BLi-X platform covers the professional Husqvarna range including pole saws, blowers, and hedge trimmers. CS39 certificate is required for professional buyers.
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Head to head comparison
| Model | Battery | Bar | Chain speed | Weight (bare) | Amazon UK | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita DUC353Z | 18V LXT x2 = 36V | 35cm | 20 m/s | 3.3 kg | Yes | 4.4 / 5 |
| Stihl MSA 220 C-B | 36V AP | 35cm | ~30 m/s (AP500S) | ~3.5 kg | No (dealer) | 4.3 / 5 |
| Ryobi OCS1830 | 18V ONE+ | 30cm | 10 m/s | 3.2 kg | Yes | 4.1 / 5 |
| DeWalt DCM565N | 18V XR | 30cm | 7.68 m/s | 3.5 kg | Yes | 4.0 / 5 |
| Husqvarna 540i XP | 36V BLi-X | 35cm | >8 m/s | ~4 kg | No (discontinued) | 3.9 / 5 |
What to look for before you buy
The bar length question is the obvious starting point. The three saws with 35cm bars (Stihl, Husqvarna, Makita) handle work that the two 30cm saws (DeWalt, Ryobi) find harder. For most domestic garden use, firewood processing, clearing storm damage, felling small trees and sectioning branches, 30cm is more than sufficient. Push a 30cm bar into a large hardwood trunk and it starts to work harder than you would like, but cutting from both sides gets you through considerably more diameter than the bar length alone suggests. If you regularly deal with large timber, 35cm is a more comfortable margin.
The single versus dual battery distinction matters more than it might appear on paper. The Stihl, Husqvarna, and Makita all run two batteries in series for 36V. More power, more runtime, but also a higher initial investment if you are not already on those platforms, and the complication of keeping two batteries charged and matched. The DeWalt and Ryobi run on a single 18V battery, which is simpler and cheaper to get started with, and the saws are both lighter in use as a result. Platform compatibility is the question I would ask first: look at the cordless tools you already own. If you are on Makita LXT, the DUC353Z uses batteries you already have. Same logic applies to DeWalt XR and Ryobi ONE+.
The Husqvarna 540i XP is discontinued in the UK. If you are considering it, buy only from a dealer who has confirmed stock, and check that the dealer can support warranty claims. Do not buy blind from a marketplace listing.
Final verdict and recommendations
The short answer to which saw to buy depends almost entirely on what battery system you are already using. If you own Makita LXT tools, the DUC353Z. If you own DeWalt XR, the DCM565N. If you own Ryobi ONE+, the OCS1830. The individual saws are all capable enough that the platform you already have is more likely to be the right answer than whichever saw scores best in a head-to-head on a single metric.
If you are starting from scratch with no existing cordless tools and a chainsaw is your first purchase, the Makita DUC353Z is the best entry point for a 35cm saw: LXT is one of the most widely available platforms, the saw performs strongly, and the batteries you buy with it will work across the largest range of tools if you add to the ecosystem later. For a 30cm saw as a first cordless purchase, the Ryobi OCS1830 gives you the lightest, fastest option in the domestic price bracket.
For professionals or anyone needing a saw that will be used hard and serviced regularly, the Stihl MSA 220 C-B is the honest recommendation if you are building or extending an AP platform. The Husqvarna, if you can find one in dealer stock at the right price, belongs in the same conversation but comes with the caveat that it is no longer in production.
For existing Makita LXT users: Makita DUC353Z.
For existing DeWalt XR users: DeWalt DCM565N.
For existing Ryobi ONE+ users: Ryobi OCS1830.
For professional or serious use with a dealer relationship: Stihl MSA 220 C-B.
Starting fresh and want 35cm on Amazon: Makita DUC353Z.
The Makita DUC353Z earns the top spot on performance and platform strength, but the right answer in this group is often determined before you reach the spec comparison. Check what batteries you already own. If you are on LXT, XR, or ONE+, the saw in that platform will serve you well. The Stihl is the right saw for anyone who thinks in terms of decades rather than years.
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